Google: Voice Typing

Google Docs:  Voice Typing  (new feature, Fall 2015)

Commands: 

-period
-comma
-question mark
-exclamation mark
-new line
-new paragraph



There is also the ability to change the default language.

You can also use text to speech on your Android or iOS device - 
 
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Google Sheets: Explore!

Video Introduction to Google Explore - found within Google Sheets

"With the Explore panel in Google Sheets, you can now spend less time trying to decipher your data, and more time making a point. Explore creates charts and insights automatically, so you can visualize trends and understand your data in seconds. It’s like having an expert analyst right by your side."

Once your data has been entered, click the button in the lower right hand corner of your screen to show the 'Explore' results.  Graph styles will be automatically chosen for your based on the type of data provided.

New Google Templates

Google has recently revamped its templates for products such as Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides.  The templates are now much easier to find and use.  Please share this with students as these can help them with their assignments and projects (as well as yours!).

Examples of Templates:

Docs:  brochure, resume, reports, letters, lesson plans

Sheets:  calendar, schedule, budget, to do list, planner, roster, time sheet, expense reports, purchase orders

Slides: book report, field trip, photo album, certificates, portfolio, lesson plans, recipe book

There are two ways to access these templates. 

Method 1: 

In any of the applications, once open:  >File, >New, >from Template

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Method #2:

Use the app button to access the application and these templates will be the first thing you see.  

Select Docs for example,

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Students could then bookmark the app and use it instead of starting the document from within My Drive.

Google Classroom

Google Classroom is a tool in Google Apps for Education that helps teachers create and organize assignments quickly, provide feedback efficiently, and easily communicate with their classes.

Visit https://classroom.google.com/ to sign up as a teacher or student.  School must be a member of Google Apps for Education.

New features (Fall, 2015)

Reuse Posts (from archived classes)

Discussion (start threaded class discussions)

Calendar Integration (see article)  add to student or parent Google Calendars

Share to Classroom (push out websites live to entire class or as an Announcement that appears in the student stream).  All individuals at LPSD now have this extension added to their Chrome accounts.

Storage of Files (store by unit of study all files, URL's etc that students would need for review)
This is found in the About tab.

• Remember that all members of LPSD have the Synergize training modules for all Google products built in to their Chrome accounts.  
• Google Classroom Support